Biology

Course summary

Module 1: Development of practical skills in biology • Practical skills assessed in a written examination • Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement Module 2: Foundations in biology • Cell structure • Biological molecules • Nucleotides and nucleic acids • Enzymes • Biological membranes • Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organization Module 3: Exchange and transport • Exchange surfaces • Transport in animals • Transport in plants Module 4: Biodiversity, evolution and disease • Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system • Biodiversity • Classification and evolution Module 5: Communication, homeostasis and energy • Communication and homeostasis • Excretion as an example of homeostatic control • Neuronal communication • Hormonal communication • Plant and animal responses • Photosynthesis • Respiration Module 6: Genetics, evolution and ecosystems • Cellular control • Patterns of inheritance • Manipulating genomes • Cloning and biotechnology • Ecosystems • Populations and sustainability